Big Four firm Deloitte has announced that it has put £30 million aside to boost its Northern Ireland operations, creating 338 jobs in the region. The new jobs will be fully in place by 2019 and come on top of the previously announced expansion of 177 jobs. The success of the Belfast Technology Studio has, among others, created the incentive to add more jobs in the region.

UK’s First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have announced the creation of 338 jobs by accounting and consulting firm Deloitte in Northern Ireland. The jobs, to be fully delivered by 2019, are part of the second phase of Deloitte’s expansion, and will add to the positions announced last year as part of phase one. “It is testament to the quality of the Northern Ireland workforce and the confidence that Deloitte has in Northern Ireland that this internationally renowned company has decided to not only expand once, but twice here,” comments Robinson on the expansion.

Belfast Technology Studio Following the success of the Belfast Technology Studio – a technology hub based in Northern Ireland’s capital which Deloitte opened in 2011 – the firm in 2013 announced an initial job expansion plan consisting of 177 jobs. Roughly a year later, Deloitte has now unveiled plans for another set of new jobs. “The choice of Belfast for this investment is significant, and was made in the face of strong international competition. The excellent performance of the Belfast Technology Studio since it was set up in 2011, together with the support from government, made Northern Ireland stand out as the best place to grow this aspect of our business,” states Jackie Henry, Senior Partner at Deloitte.

Investment To create the 338 new positions, Deloitte will invest a sum of £30 million. Local government agencies will support Deloitte with £3.3 million, and Invest NI, a regional business development agency, will contribute £2.6 million to Deloitte's investment. The vacancies will be created in technology, finance and consulting and have average salaries set at around £30,000. All in all, the jobs are expected to inject around £11 million per year into the local economy, which can in itself be seen as an investment. “These jobs will pay above the local private sector average providing a considerable injection into the local economy and creating opportunities for experienced professionals, graduates and school leavers,” says McGuinness.

With the expansion, Deloitte’s workforce in Northern Ireland will rise to over 700 in the next five years.